Today we’d like to introduce you to Barb Birdsong-Horse North Rescue.
Hi Barb , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Horse North Rescue was established in 2005 as a non-profit with a mission to assist struggling horse owners needing assistance as well providing a service to educate horse owners or those interested in equine ownership. It began because there was such a need for assistance for horses who were undernourished, mistreated, abandoned or abused. Over 20 years, we have taken in over 360 horses in need and adopted out nearly that many.
For over 15 years, Horse North Rescue (HNR) functioned and physically provided care for horses at locations around Northern Michigan, where a kind volunteers offered space. In 2022, through the generosity of a kind foundation, we were able to purchase land of our own. We purchased the land which included a 5 stall horse barn with some hay storage area and built out 10 paddocks, enabling us to have up to 20 horses at a time. Prior to this, we could only have 5-6 horses at any given time due to space and finding limitations. With the new property, as the saying goes “If you build it, they will come” played out in real life. We soon had 18 horses on site within 6 months.
We operate completely on donations, volunteer hours and some grants. Our volunteers, amazing humans, feed the horses, clean paddocks, provide medical and significant training needs, and assist with fundraising opportunities. Our board of directors is a working board so you could see themcleaning water tanks one day and going to visit an intake request horse the next while also managing the rescue operation.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some days the road is smooth like a gaited horse and others like a bucking untrained gelding! We are blessed with wonderful volunteers until Winter hits and everyone stays inside away from the howling wind and snow storms. Yet, those are the times when the horses need us more than ever as they still need to be fed and rely on hay for heating their 1000# bodies. The operation continues 365 24/7 and horses are living animals with needs to be taken care of. Many have challenging health issues as well.
Funding is another area that is a challenge. Since we operate fully on donations and grants, we cannot continue without the support of our donors. We try to keep costs to a minimum and spend only on the horses needs. We have increased our training budget as many potential adopters are looking for a horse which has had at least some training. Horses feed (hay and grain) needs as well as medical needs to regain health and bring them to adoption eligible are 2 main areas of expense.
We are intending to begin a capital campaign to raise funds for an indoor arena this Fall. It has become a critical need as Winter in Michigan makes continual training of horses difficult or impossible with 3-4 feet of snow and ice on the ground for 5 months at a time.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Horse North Rescue?
Horse North Rescue has been in existence since 2005 when a small group with big hearts noticed an abundance of horses and owners in need of help. Horses subject to abandonment, abuse and neglect were turning up across Northern Michigan. They did something about it instead of just talking about it.
Horse North Rescue then began and we are now over 375 horses successfully saved from abuse, neglect and surrender to kill pens. For ever 20 years, HNR operated on a big of a shoe string and the kindness of donors and community members who offered a small amount of property and a barn to function on. In 2022, HNR received an incredible donation from a generous foundation which allowed us to purchase our own property located in Interlochen, MI. The property, 10 acres with a horse barn, allowed HNR to expand the intake capacity to 20 horses at any given time. We have built up our volunteer program, horse training program and affiliation with various equine professionals and businesses all of whom make HNR successful and able to complete the mission of caring for horses in need.
What makes HNR different is that our clients are 1000# horses and their owners who cannot take care of them. We, unlike a dog or cat shelter, deal with traumatized horses who are big and need a lot of hay and grain to live as well as space.
Additionally, it is important to know that horses are special animals. They can feel the heartbeat of a human several feet away and can feed off the energy and emotion of humans immediately. They are flight animals and thus are always sensitive to their surroundings.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Interesting question….good luck in that we are blessed with volunteers and donors who recognize the needs of the horses in our care. As we grow and desire to service more equines and educate humans about their needs (so that their horses do not end up with us), it is very important to continue learning.
We have had the good fortune to operate in a grounded and basic nature by taking in horses in need and assisting horse owners who are struggling. We see bad luck daily in that fashion. But through tenacity, honestly and a desire to help, we believe that we share the good luck we have been given.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.horsenorthrescue.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/horsenorth.rescue/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064867265229
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@horsenorthrescue7936
